News release prepared by: Judy Unruh, 785-587-8432

Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011

READY, SET, GROW: K-STATE GARDENS OFFERS PUBLIC SEMINARS, LUNCH SERIES

MANHATTAN -- Three public seminars are featured in the 2011 Friends of the Kansas State University Gardens Luncheon Series. Learn about drift roses in March, tour an 18th-century style colonial garden in June, and in November see how to use "old with new" to decorate for the holidays.

All programs will be on Thursdays from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Manhattan, said Judy Unruh, coordinator of the series. Admission is $25 per person for the lunch and seminar. Net proceeds benefit the K-State Gardens.

The schedule includes:

* March 10, "Drift Roses: The Next Big Thing for Small Gardens," President's Room, Holiday Inn at the Campus, 1641 Anderson Ave. The presenter is Doug Baker, vice president for major accounts for Greenleaf Nursery in Oklahoma. A 1985 K-State graduate in horticulture, Baker has been with Greenleaf for 23 years.

* June 16, "English Colonial Gardening," a private garden tour at 500 Denison Ave. Tim Lindemuth, editor of the K-Stater alumni magazine and member of the Friends of the K-State Gardens board, will explain how he designed and built an 18th-century style colonial garden patterned after the Curtis Maupin House garden constructed in 1733 at Williamsburg, Va.

* Nov. 3, "Re-think, Re-design, Re-invent for the Holidays," Colbert Hills Clubhouse, 5200 Colbert Hills Drive. Ralph Diaz and Rob Dudley, Manhattan area businessmen, will show how to combine existing items around the home with new pieces to make beautiful table settings and decorations. They will illustrate creativity using linens and dishes with holiday decor.

Advance paid registration is required by calling Anne Springer at 785-532-1442 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, or e-mail spr@k-state.edu. Advance payments may be sent to Friends of the K-State Gardens, 2021 Throckmorton Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506